48 Buses Charge Simultaneously as CapMetro Unveils New Grid

The main bus depot in Austin now possesses a charging capacity of 2.9 megawatts. This infrastructure allows 48 electric buses to recharge at the same time while parked overnight. The system was installed by partner Camber Charging, which supplied two 1,440 kW charging units. These units connect to 48 industrial dispensers within the facility.

CapMetro has opened two new park-and-ride facilities, Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center, to support its electrification efforts. First announced in June, these terminals are now operational. They serve the Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 routes, which are the city's first fully electric bus lines. The new locations feature overhead pantograph-style chargers that allow vehicles to top up batteries at the end of their runs.

The on-route charging design aims to extend the daily service hours for the fleet. Andy Skabowski, CapMetro's Chief Operations Officer and Executive VP, noted that standard buses typically hold a charge for eight hours. With the new pantograph system, that window expands to 20 to 22 hours. Skabowski stated, "Every time that pantograph drops, we charge that bus. That's what makes a commitment like (every) 10- to 15-minute service possible."

The vehicles on these routes are built on the Xcelsior battery-electric transit platform from New Flyer, a Canadian manufacturer. The release did not specify the battery size for the Austin fleet. However, New Flyer states that the platform can offer up to 660 kWh of available capacity. The buses produce up to 320 all-electric horsepower. Full torque is available at 0 rpm, a specification suited for stop-and-go urban traffic.

Camber Charging manages preventive maintenance and remote diagnostics across all three charging locations. The company also provides charger and energy management software for the network. The expansion represents a shift in how the agency plans to maintain its growing electric fleet without relying solely on overnight depot charging.

The new terminals bring improved passenger amenities to the ends of the Rapid 800 and 837 lines. The overhead charging equipment is the central feature of these upgrades. By enabling buses to charge during layovers at the end of each run, the system addresses range concerns for the return trip. The infrastructure is currently active and supporting the daily operations of the two electric bus lines.